Diving bell



Aug. 16, 1955 R. G. soLHEuvl DIVING BELL 4 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Jan. 22, 1951 Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Russe/l 6. .So/heim INVENTOR.

BY waaxlam WWW 5MM Aug. 16, 1955 R. G. SOLHEIM DIVING BELL 4 Sheeis-Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 22, 1951 Fig. 4.

Russe/l 6. Salbe/'m INVENTOR.

Aug. 16, 1955 R. G. soLHElM DIVING BELL 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Jan. 22 1951 Russe/l 6. .So/heim INVENTOR.

1 BY @emma www Aug. 16, 1955 R. G. sou-:EIM

DIVING BELL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Jan. 22, 1951 Russe/l G. So/he/'m United States Patent Y Oil ce Patented Aug. i6, 1955 DIVING BELL Russell G. Solheinx, Racine, Wis.

Original application January 22, 1.951, Serial No. 207,087. Divided and this application March 3i), 1953, Serial N o. 349,682

11 Claims. (Cl. 114-5) My invention relates to apparatus for raising sunken vessels and more particularly to improvements in a diving bell and a cable-threaded hook for effecting the attachment of one or more buoyant tanks or pontoons to the hull of a sunken vessel whereby the vessel can be caused to rise to the surface by the lifting action of the buoyant pontoons. The present application includes improvement features over my prior application, Serial No. 654,983, tiled March i6, 1946 (now Patent 2,536,103), and is a divisional application of my copending application Serial No. 207,087, led ianuary 22, 1951 (now abandoned), this application comprising improvements in the mechanism for attaching a hook and guide cable means to the hull of the ship, and to novel structural features of the hook and guide cable for suitably securing buoyant pontoons to the side of a sunken vessel.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a diving bell whereby only the "ear or hull hook which is to be secured to the ships side is required to be carried in the diving bell, thus eliminating the need for providing a plurality of apertures in the diaphragm of the diving bell to accommodate the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cable-threaded hook for engaging and snap-fastening a pontoon or the like to a hull hook.

Other features of the invention include a diving bell which is adapted to be lowered in a position to contact the hull of a sunken vessel, means to engage the side of the sunken vessel and seal the diving bell thereto, a hull hook carried by the diving bell, a link and attached cable secured to said hook, said cable leading to the surface of the water, means in the diving bell through which access may be nad to the hull hook after the bell has become sealed to the hull of the sunken vessel, to facilitate the attachment of the hookrto the hull, means to seal the opening giving access to the hook after the same has been welded to the hull whereby the bell may be uns'ealed from contact with the hull and elevated to the Surface.

Another feature includes a diving bell and working bay in which the occupant of the diving bell may work at normal atmospheric pressures and temperatures.

Still another improvement feature comprises a diving bell having a bay section in which the guide cable attached to the hull hook is stored, thus eliminating the need of providing a groove or sealing aperture in the diaphragm of the diving drum and whereby the guide cable is adapte-:l to be payed out from the working bay section of the diving bell as the bell rises to the surface after securing the hull hook in place on the ships hull.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent as the invention is described in more detail.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of my invention will be pointed out more particularly in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages and manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which a specic embodiment thereof has been set forth for purposes of illustration.

ln the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a diving bell and associated hull hook and cable mechanism embodying novel features of the present invention, and illusrated in position for attaching the hook to the hull of a sunken vessel which is shown broken away;

Figure 2 is a modification of the diving bell and cable and hook attachment shown in Figure l wherein the cable is coiled up and stored in a section of the working bay of the diving bell;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail View taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows;

.Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows, the hull portion of the sunken vessel being "Il shown broken away;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through a pontoon and showing the manner in which it is locked to the cable threaded hook member and fastened t0 the hull hook;

Figure 6 is a detail View illustrating the construction of the cable-threaded hook and associated structure for attaching a pontoon thereto, certain parts being shown in section and broken away to better illustrate the construction and operation of the mechanism;

Figure 7 is a similar View as in Figure 6 and showing the parts fastened together and in position for operation of the pontoon to eXert the buoyancy force for raising a sunken vessel;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 6, and looking in the direction of the arrows; K

Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of a shear pin as utilized for securing the pontoon to the cable-threaded nook member as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7; and

Figure l0 is an exploded perspective View of the cablethreaded hook and illustrating the construction of the pivoted jaws and knockout pins, the spring means for closing the jaws being omitted.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, and wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several figures, a hull of a vessel to be salvaged is designated generally 16, a diving bell generally 18, and a pontoon or buoyant tank generally by the reference numeral 20. Further, it will be understood that the diving bell and pontoon equipment as illustrated and described will be used with a suitable salvage vessel and tender means stationed on the surface of the body of water, and which salvage vessel is equipped with the customary Winches, electrical power generators, motors,

air compressors, cranes and masts such as referred to in my prior aforementioned patent application.

The diving bell 18, which is of similar construction and operation as illustrated and described in my aforementioned patent application, comprises, as shown in Figure l, a hollow substantially cylindrical drum or capsule 23 having a port or opening 24 in its side which is surrounded by an integral extension or collar 25, forming a work chamber 26, and from diametric points of the collar extend trunnion means, not shown, the outer ends of which are suitably attached to the legs 27 of an inverted U-shaped yoke to which a suspension cable 30 is secured.

.Slidably mounted in the opening 24 is a door 33 which, in one position, is adapted to close the port 24 and provide sealing engagement with the inner wall 35 of the cylindrical body 23 of the diving bell and adjacent the opening 24. A gasket 36 is positioned between the door 33 and wall 35. The door 33 is suitably held in sealing contact with the inner wall by the bolts 34 which are made accessible from the interiorV however, may be operated by water under pressure.

Utilizing water pressure in this manner eliminates the need of high pressure air line to the diving bell where sulcient air (or oxygen) is stored in the bell to sustain the diver during his stay at the bottom.

Suitably suspended on detachable links 41 at the mouth ofthe chamber 26 and secured to the top portion 42 is a hull hook, generally designated 43. Cooperating with the links 41 is a turnbuckle 44 by means of which tension may be released from the links to permit dismounting of the hook 43 from its position in the mouth of the chamber 26, whereby the same can be welded or otherwise attached to the hull 16 of the sunken vessel. The hull hook 43c0mprises a base portion 45 of substantially cone-shaped configuration and having a circular ear-shaped integral portion 46 which is provided with an opening or eye 47 for receiving a cable-threaded hook, such as generally indicated as 48, and as hereinafter to be more fully described. Extending laterally of the eye 47 is an integral dish-shaped portion 49 which provides a centering cavity or depression which centers and assists in bringing about the closure of the cablethreaded hook 48 as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

Surrounding the collar 25 and yieldingly engaging it is a sleeve 51 formed of a soft pliable waterproof material, such as rubber or synthetics. The outer end of the sleeve 51 is ared outwardly forming a diaphragm vor ange 52, the outer edges of which are feathered t form a suction cup member, the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereinafter. The sleeve 51 and-integral flange portion 52 are permanently attached to the collar by means of Va ring 53 and attaching bolts 54. A curved slit 56 and longitudinal groove 57 are formed in the flange 52 for accommodating the guide cable 60, the groove being substantially parallel to a central vertical axis through the diving bell 18. The cable 60 is attached at its lower end to the hull hook 43, as by being suitably fastened to an eye bolt 61 threaded into the ear portion 46 of the hook, the cable being fastened at its upper end to a winch located on the salvage vessel or tender, not shown, and located on the surface of the water. The eye bolt 61 is adapted to be threaded into alternate tap holes 62 in the ear portion 46 of the hook depending upon the angular position of the hull surface to which the hook 43 is to be attached.

The diving bell 18 is provided with convenient search light lamps 63 and ports 64 which are sealed against the entrance of water in order t0 aid in visibility when working at great depths, and leading from the tender or surface vessel to the diving bell 18 is electrical conduit means which extend through the top of the diving bell, as at 66, by means of which power may be supplied fromra generator aboard the tender -to light the vlamps and supply power to electrical welding equipment bywhich the hull hook 43 may be suitably welded to the hull 16 of a sunken vessel.

The cable-threaded hook means 48 for attaching a pontoon comprises an elongated body portion which is provided withv a central bore 72 for accommodating the guide' cable 60, The hook 48 is provided with a bifurcated end portion having the jaws 74 and 76 which is defined by the circular side wall 134.

4 define an opening 78 for receiving the ear portion 46 of the hull hook 43. The jaws 74 and 76 are complementary halves, the jaw 74 being integral with the body portion 70 whereas the jaw 76 is pivotally mounted thereon, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The jaw 76 comprises an arcuate-shaped shank 80 and shoulder 82 with a terminal half-collar section 84. The underside of the shank portion 80 of the jaw 76 is shaped to provide complementary flat and off-set surface portions, as shown at 86 and 88, respectively, in Figure l0 whereby the parts are snugly t together and interlocked when the jaws 74 and 76 are closed about the ear 46 of thehull hook, as illustrated in Figure 7.

In order to maintain the jaws 74 and 76 in position to facilitate the entrance of the hull hook ear part 46 and fasten the jaws 74 and 76 in the eye 47, the jaw 76 is cocked open, as illustrated inFigure 6, utilizing,

knock-out pins 90 suitably set in the half-spherical depressions 92 `of jaw 74 and complementary portions 93 of jaw 76. To further assist in the entrance of the hull hook between the jaws of the hook 48, the front portions of the jaws are suitably beveled, as at 96. A longitudinal groove 98 is also provided in the engaging jaws faces to accommodate the guide cable 60.

For urging the jaws 74 and 76 in engagement, tension springs 100 are arranged at opposite sides of the jaws, as by means of the supporting bolts 101, and for cocking the jaw 76 a spring-actuated collar 102 is arranged about the body portion 70 of the hook and urged to slide axially and forwardly toward the jaws of the hook 48 by a pair of tension springs 104 and 106. Springs 104 and 106 are suitably attached at one end to eye lugs 108 and 110, respectively, and which are formed on the rear portion of the jaws 76 and 74, respectively, and at the opposite end to a rod 112 fixed to the slidable collar 102. In the cocked position of the jaw 76, as illustrated in Figure 6, the shoulder 82 holds the collar 102 against the action of the tension springs 104 and 106 until the pins 90 have been knocked out and the tension springs 100 operate to pivot the jaw 76 downwardly and in engagement with the jaw 74, in which instance the collar 102 is released from the shoulder and is drawn forwardly so as to lock the jaws together, as illustrated in Figure 7.

To fasten the pontoon to the cable-threaded hook 48, the elongated shank 70 thereof is provided with a reduced diameter portion having a tapered section 122 on the inner end and a knob or head 124 formed on the outer end. The guide cable 60 extends therethrough and is arranged to pass upwardly through the pontoon 20 through a sealed conduit 126, the shank portion 128, reduced diameter section 120 and knob 124 being slidably received in a sleeve 130, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Sleeve 130 is pivotably retained in a frusto-conical shaped open bottom chamber 132 which Integral with the sleeve is an elliptical-shaped saddle 136 which is slidably engaged by the inwardly extending wall portions 138 and providing a ball and socket joint. Suitably mounted over the end of the joint and cooperating therewith is an inverted cup-shaped member 140 which comprises the inwardly projecting spacedv shoulders 142 which are adapted to engage the inner concave surface portion of the saddle 136 and slidably retain the saddle between the walls 138 and shoulders 142. A

' central aperture 146 is formed in the member 140 which communicates with the conduit 126 for accommodating the passage of the guide cable 60.

ToV adjustably lock the knob 124 on the outer end of the shank 120 `of the hook body 70 to the sleeve 130, the same isprovided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely reciprocable pins having an arcuate-shaped bottom surface, as at 151, for engaging the curved surfaces of the shank of the hook 48, and a head 154 shaped to receive the end of a leaf spring 156. The leaf springs 156 are suitably secured to the sleeve 130, as by means of rivets 160. The structure described for attaching the pontoon to the hook knob 124 provides for side play and movement of the socket so as to allow for some margin of error in attaching the hook to the hull of the ship.

In the modification shown in Figure 2, the working compartment 26 of the diving bell 18 is provided with brackets 170 which are arranged therein to receive and store coil lengths 172 of the guide cable 60 whereby the same are retained therein for paying out after the operator has fastened the hull hook 43 to the side or hull of asunken ship and is returning to the surface. In this construction, the necessity of providing an aperture in the diaphragm 52 for receiving the guide cable 60 is thus eliminated.

In operation of the ship salvaging apparatus of the invention, the eye bolt 61 to which the guide cable 60 is secured is threaded into one of the taps 62 selected as most suitable to the angular position of the hull portion of the sunken ship to which the hook 43 is to be fastened. The guide cable is then drawn taut and forced into the groove 57 of the diaphragm 52, unless the cable is to be stored in the diving bell as illustrated in the modification in Figure 2.

The diving bell 18 is then lowered to the side of the ship, and after the hook 43 has been welded or otherwise fastened to the hull, the diving bell is withdrawn and the guide cable 60 slips out of its groove 57 and is drawn up tight to the surface tender. The guide cable is then threaded through the longitudinal bore 72 in the IY center of the hook 48 and thence through the guide tube or conduit 126 extending through the pontoon or tank 20 (Fig. 5) and back to the tender where it is secured. Two or more guide cables and hooks are generally used for each pontoon. However, by utilizing differently shaped pontoons, only one hook per pontoon may be employed. The pontoons are lowered by filling them partly with water until they sink. Where two cables are used per pontoon or tank, one is fastened at one end of the pontoon and the other at the opposite end of the pontoon. During descent of the pontoons into areas of higher exterior pressures, additional air pressure is applied to the exterior air chamber of the pontoons to boost the pressure therein to compensate for the increased outside pressure. By thus suitably controlling the amount of air pressure and water supplied to the pontoons, the buoyancy of the same will be kept substantially constant.

Pressure measuring means are installed on each pontoon which record the air pressure and the water pressure, the pressure meaurements being suitably transmitted as by electrical connections to the surface ship or tender. When submerged below the surface, derricks lower the pontoons. However, the attendant must continually add air as the pontoons sink so as to prevent undue strain on the derrick and lowering cables.

The shaft of the cable-threaded hook 48 is secured to the pontoon sleeve 130, as illustrated in Figure 6, before it is lowered and is held by the lower set of shear pins. When the open end of the hook 48 collides with the ear portion 46 of the hull hook 48, the half or jaw 76 separates, stretching tension springs 100, and after knocking out the pins the jaw 76 continues to pivot outwardly until the hook jaws 74 and 76 pass through the eye 47 of the hull hook. The jaws are then drawn together by the action of the spring and are aligned into proper position by the centering cavity guide 49 which also assists in closing the jaws of the hook. When the jaws reach their closed position, the collar 102 is released and drawn towards the jaws until they reach the stop lugs 108 and 10. In this position, the collar prevents the jaws from opening. The pontoon or tank 20 now, if it is not advanced up against the ship side, can descend still further and the series of shear pins can take up the slack.

While in the foregoing description there has been shown and described the prefered embodiment of this invention, it will be understood, of course, that minor changes in the details of construction, and substitutions may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a ship salvaging apparatus, the combination of a hook adapted to be attached to the hull of a sunken vessel, a guide cable secured to said hook and means comprising an attaching hook threaded onto said guide cable and slidable thereover, said threaded hook comprising a pair of jaws which are held partly open by knockout pin means acting against yieldable means tending to close said jaws.

2. In a ship salvaging apparatus, the combination of a hook adapted to be attached to the hull of a sunken vessel, a guide cable secured to said hook and means comprising an attaching hook threaded onto said guide cable and slidable thereover, a sleeve threaded onto said guide cable and adjustably interlocked with said threaded hook, and a buoyant pontoon pivotally secured to said sleeve member.

3. In ship salvaging apparatus which includes a buoyant pontoon, an eye hook attached to the hull of a sunken vessel, a guide cable extending from said eye hook, means comprising a hook threaded onto said guide cable and engageable with said eye hook, and means comprising a sleeve and transverse attaching pins for fastening said pontoon to said threaded hook, said threaded hook comprising a pivoted jaw which is retained cocked open, and means engageable with said eye hook for uncocking said jaw and closing said threaded hook in said eye hook.

4. In a ship salvaging apparatus which includes a hull hook adapted to be secured to the hull of a sunken vessel having a guide cable leading therefrom, a latching hook adapted to Vengage the hull hook comprising an elongated shank having a longitudinal bore therethrough for receiving the guide cable, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw on the forward end of said latching hook, removable means maintaining said jaws in spaced apart relation to one another, resilient means urging said jaws toward one another upon release of said removable means and locking means operable in response to movement of said jaws toward one another to clamp the jaws in closed position.

5. In a ship salvaging apparatus which includes a hull hook adapted to be secured to the hull of a sunken vessel having a guide cable leading therefrom, a latching hook adapted to engage the hull hook comprising an elongated shank having a longitudinal bore therethrough for receiving the guide cable, a xed jaw and a movable jaw on the forward end of said latching hook, removable means maintaining said jaws in spaced apart relation to one another, resilient means urging said jaws toward one another upon release of said removable means and locking means operable in response to movement of said jaws toward one another to clamp the jaws in closed position, said removable means including at least one knockout pin separating said jaws from one another.

6. In a ship salvaging apparatus which includes a hull hook adapted to be secured to the hull of a sunken vessel having a guide cable leading therefrom, a latching hook adapted to engage the hull hook comprising an elongated shank having a longitudinal bore therethrough for receiving the guide cable, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw on the forward end of said latching hook, removable means maintaining said jaws in spaced apart relation to one another, resilient means urging said jaws toward one another upon release of said removable means and locking means operable in response to movement of said jaws toward one another to clamp the jaws in closed position,

v said locking means including a collar slidably received on 7 said shank and'resilient means urging said collar toward said jaws. Y f

7f.v In a ship salvag'ing apparatus which'includesfa hull hook adapted tobe secured to Vthe hull of a sunken vesselhavin-ga guide cable leading therefrom, a latching hook adaptedto. engage .thei hull hookzcomprising an elongated shank having a longitudinal bore therethrough for receiving the guide: cable, a fixed jawand a movable. jaw on the forward end of said latching hook, removable means maintaining. said j'aws in spaced apart relation to one another, Vresilient means urging said jaws toward one another upon. release. of said removable means and locking means-operable in response to4 movement of said jaws toward one another to clamp the jaws in. closed position,` saidlocking means including a collar slidably received on said. shankv and .resilient means urging said collar toward said jaws, said movable jaw havinga shoulder thereon abutting. said collar .when saidjaws are in spaced apart relation.

' 8. In a. `ship salvaging apparatus which .includes a hull "f hook adapted to, be secured -to the hull of a sunken vessel having a guideV cable leading therefrom,l a latching hook adapted'to engage the hull hook comprising an elongated shank having. a longitudinal. bore therethrough for receiving the guide cable, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw on the forward end`of said latching hook, removable means maintaining saidl jaws in spaced apart relation to one another, resilient means urging. said jaws toward one another upon release of said removable means and locking means operable in response to movement of said jaws towardone another tov clamp the jaws in closed position, and a.' bulbous enlargement on the rear end of said shank for attaching the shank to a pontoon.

9.y In. a ship salvaging apparatus which includes a hull hnok adapted toLbe secured to the. hull of a sunken vessel having a guide cable leading therefrom, a latching hook in said notch, said portion of said movable jaw having a shoulder thereon engaging said locking means when the jaws` are in spaced apart relation toy oneA another.'

A l0.` In a ship salvaging apparatus which includes a hull. hook adapted to be secured to the hull of'a sunken'vesself and a guide cable extending therefrom, a pontoon. and a latching hook adapted to slidingly receive said guide cable, said pontoone including a sleeve pivotally mountedV therein, longitudinally spaced spring urged projections'- exndng transversely'into saidY sleeve, said latching hook having a shank received in. said sleeve, said shank having' a reducedV end. portion terminating in a shouldered head, said projections xedly retaining saidv shank against movement in .one direction by abutment against theV shouldered head, self attaching jaws on the other end of said shank adaptedz to clamp the hull hook therebetween upon contact therewith;

l1. In a ship salvaging apparatus, a pontoon and al latching hook adapted to slidingly receive a guide cable, said pontoon having an elongated sleeve secured. thereto, said latching. hook including a shank having an inner end portion slidably disposed in said sleeve and an outer'en'df portion projecting from said sleeve, attaching jaws on the other end of said hook, the inner end portion of said hook. being of. reduced cross-section and having an enlarged headv thereon, longitudinally spaced spring urgedv projections extending transversely into said sleeve and contacting said shank,` saidheadlbeing'tapered for inward movement into the sleevey andl having an: abutment shoulder at its juncture to said reduced encl portion successively engaging said projections to prevent outward movement of thel shank from the sleeve whereby the pontoon may be pulled into proximity with the attaching jaws.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 865,130 Ximenez Sept. 3, 1907 1,314,119 Bennett Aug. 26, 1919- 1,59'2,85'1 Hansenv July 20, 1926 1,851,843 Inman Mar. 29, 1932 2,536,103 Solheim Jan.'2, 1951 l2,614,781 Engel Oct'. 2l, 1952 2,641,780 Brown et al. Iune 16', 1953` FOREIGN PATENTS 3,840 Great Britain Feb. 12, 1897 492,691' Great Britain Sept. 26, 193'8 

